Failed - Electric Platinum Lightning F150

[hturnerfamily]

I ran into a very similar 'problem' with the purchase of a used 2015 Nissan Leaf several years ago: I responded to an add on CL, went and test drove with the owner, but decided against the price at that time.
Later, I saw the same car pop up again on CL, thinking it had already sold over a month ago...now the price was lower, and in my ballpark. I texted and got an o.k. for my price - let's meet up and take care of business tomorrow at your home - no worries, I won't be hear, heading on a business trip, but my wife can handle it. She had 'made' him sell it - she was tired of it sitting in their driveway and taking up space!
I arrived there, and suddenly found out that the car wouldn't 'start', it wouldn't even come 'on', nothing. Hmmmm, and since I'm a youtube wiz and had explored Leaf issues ahead of time, I kinda already 'knew' that the 12v battery was the issue. Sure enough, I put a new battery in, and 'voila!, the car purred like a kitten. $100 discount for replacing the battery, and now the battery has a 3 year warranty : )

Yes, the EV world is different, but actually, the vehicle STILL RELIES ON A SIMPLE 12v BATTERY...amazing.

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[Aces_Over_Kings]

Based on what we've seen in the forum traffic so far, it does seem like 12V system is the place to start. Maybe a very easy fix in the offing. Amazingly frustrating that the dealer seems to be impotent to perform any basic troubleshooting.

Barring that, as others have suggested, these things are SUCH hot commodities, that you could seriously probably turn a $15-20K profit on that truck as-is if you wanted to brave the wilds of ebay or carsandbids or whatever. Or maybe even back to the same dealer.

 

[Amps]

I had stupid 12V battery experiences with VW and their 12V charging problems with their EVs—they kind of go into a deep sleep death cycle that flattens the 12V.

I carry one of those $60 li-on jump starter things. It’s handy and got me out of airport parking garage where towing would have really sucked. I’d rather solve the easy stuff myself than give the unknowing a crack at a simple problem after a dicey tow job.

That being said, a dead Platinum and no clue from the dealer is unacceptable.

 

[LightningShow]

Kind of quick to jump to "DONT BUY THIS VEHICLE". Maybe wait for a resolution first? Did they give you a loaner? The dealer has never had to troubleshoot one of these vehicles, they aren't going to be able to figure everything out instantly.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Following, & OP make sure to inform us of your resolution here and every other forum on the planet !

 

[sykoman]

Have you contacted Ford Corporate? The fact that your first post on this forum is a scathing flame suggests to me that you have not taken the most sensible route.

hi, i do not have access to ford corporate. i end up in a loop of options when i try to call ford. i have spoken with the dealer that i purchased the truck from as well as the dealer that is holding my truck. What would you do when your servicing dealer tells you that they have no idea how long it will take and have no knowledge at their facility of what to do next?

 

[Pioneer74]

What would you do when your servicing dealer tells you that they have no idea how long it will take and have no knowledge at their facility of what to do next?

Wait.

Ford will send an engineer to help the dealership fix it.

 

[sykoman]

Kind of quick to jump to "DONT BUY THIS VEHICLE". Maybe wait for a resolution first? Did they give you a loaner? The dealer has never had to troubleshoot one of these vehicles, they aren't going to be able to figure everything out instantly.

10 days of no word on what they are doing and what they might be doing other than they don't know what to do. don't buy one if that scenario bothers you. buy one if you love the idea of electric truck. i have owned apprx 20 ford trucks. i own a mach e. i have been first on every raptor generation. i believe that i understand the process.

 

[rdr854]

If the servicing dealer is not EV certified, I would have it transferred to a dealer that is. My understanding is that EV certification is supposed to demonstrate that a dealership is up to the task. Even with ICE vehicles, there are plenty of issues that crop up where the dealer has to contact the OEM‘s engineers for assistance or have a factory rep come to the dealership to help resolve the problem. I am truly surprised that the dealer and Ford would both just throw their hands up.

 

[merek]

Honestly in a lot of these cases, I think it reflects more on the dealer than Ford -- dealers are not these magicians that people sometimes think they are. Have you asked the dealer how to contact Ford? I am sure there is an escalation process.

Perhaps suggest towing it to another Ford dealer. Generally, I think (without proof) that larger dealers tend to be more capable and have more resources available to them.

 

[merek]

You could also remind the dealer of your rights under any applicable lemon laws in your state. In NY, 30 days cumulative of repairs, and you can be entitled to a replacement vehicle.

I did this once because a dealer was unable to solve an electrical issue with the car radio. They had to replace the vehicle, which had aprox 15k miles on it with a brand new one, with no cost to me.

 

[sykoman]

Honestly in a lot of these cases, I think it reflects more on the dealer than Ford -- dealers are not these magicians that people sometimes think they are. Have you asked the dealer how to contact Ford? I am sure there is an escalation process.

Perhaps suggest towing it to another Ford dealer. Generally, I think (without proof) that larger dealers tend to be more capable and have more resources available to them.

This Dealership services my Mach-E and they are one of the larger dealerships in San Diego. After i speak with a Ford employee, i might move to another dealership.

 

[sykoman]

If the servicing dealer is not EV certified, I would have it transferred to a dealer that is. My understanding is that EV certification is supposed to demonstrate that a dealership is up to the task. Even with ICE vehicles, there are plenty of issues that crop up where the dealer has to contact the OEM‘s engineers for assistance or have a factory rep come to the dealership to help resolve the problem. I am truly surprised that the dealer and Ford would both just throw their hands up.

They service my MAch-E....

 

[dirtdiver]

Sykoman, did they give you a loaner? A truck? It is a bummer to have your brand-new vehicle in the shop without any good feeling it is soon to be repaired. An added bummer if you need the truck for truck type of tasks. Hopefully a month from now you will be happy with your 21st ford truck!

Im hoping your problem isn't systemic and hopefully and easy fix -after the dealer gets a clue. However, you plight does illustrate one of the many possible wrinkles to being an early adopter. Added risk for all of us in this first year.

steve

 

[Tony Burgh]

hi, i do not have access to ford corporate. i end up in a loop of options when i try to call ford. i have spoken with the dealer that i purchased the truck from as well as the dealer that is holding my truck. What would you do when your servicing dealer tells you that they have no idea how long it will take and have no knowledge at their facility of what to do next?

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